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Modern Plastics...

09/02/2007 6:21 AM

What are the ten most common plastics in use today?

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#1

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/02/2007 8:12 AM

PET

ABS

Nylon

Polypropylene

Polycarbonate

PolyKryptonate

That's my guess for the top 10 ....( you know I can't count !)

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#8
In reply to #1

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/03/2007 9:54 AM

Add: pheolic

epoxy

silicone

polyvinylchloride

latex

polystyrene

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#16
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 12:07 PM

Del, both yourself and Garyceng omitted polyethylene, both LD and HDPE. Think of all the plastic "shopping bags" made. I don't have any world wide production figures at the tip of my fingers, but I suggest:

PE, PP, PS (polystyrene), PVC, ABS/SAN, styrene. butadiene, polycarbonates, PET, polyamides (Nylons).

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#17
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 4:01 PM

Yeh...but no one jumps on the one I made up! !!!

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#2

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/02/2007 9:15 AM

I will see ya with - Polyester!

with nice stretchy lycra.... nmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

John.

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#3
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/02/2007 9:18 AM

The lycra is worn under one's Lionels presumably?

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#5
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/03/2007 4:03 AM

How does your wife feel about you stretching out her pantyhose?

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#4

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/02/2007 5:09 PM

The list should start with the simplest, PE and PVC.

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#6
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/03/2007 4:04 AM

And then...

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#9
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/03/2007 10:28 AM

...plus other wierd ones such as polybismaleinimide.

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#7

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/03/2007 8:48 AM

I refer you to the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) website.

bobguz

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#10

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/03/2007 9:53 PM

Polyethylene is probably the most common plastic at 60 million tonnes produced each year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene

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#11
In reply to #10

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 12:46 AM

Woof!!!

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#12
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 12:54 AM

Let me elaborate a little more about where I'm going with this question...

People know a lot about wood products, metal products, glass products, etc.. However, I have noticed a complete lack of knowledge among the masses (myself included) regarding the most common material in modern life - plastic. My keyboard is made of plastic, my tooth brush, some of my cloths, on and on!!!

These materials have certain looks and certain feels (hard, soft, cold, ...). What I want to do is compile a list of the ten most common plastics that we come in contact with and how we relate (perceive?) them. There's probably a lot more than ten, but I figured ten was a good starting number for this mystery material that we're bathed in on a day-to-day basis.

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#13
In reply to #10

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 12:55 AM

What raw materials are used to produce those 60 million tons?!

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#14
In reply to #13

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 1:53 AM

FROM 60 MLN TONS of Ethylene(gas) derived from Cracked Petroleum fractions

Or the coming up--MTO route

MTO=Methanol To Olefin

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#15

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 8:51 AM

Dont forget polyurathane, teflon

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#18

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 7:02 PM

polymethyl-methacrylate (Acrylic)

polyester

polypropylene

nylon

acetal

pvc

polycarbonate

polyethylene

polystyrene

teflon

Acrylonitrile, Butadiene Stryrene (ABS)

I think thats 11

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#19
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/04/2007 10:34 PM

Thanks!!!

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#20
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/05/2007 12:48 AM

Almost similar, or at lease not totally of topic is the oldest plastic that I have ever heard of and it is still being produced. It is called Casein. It is used as a high strength water resistant glue. It was used by the Egyptians in furniture joints such as Tutankhamen's throne and other pieces at the British and Cairo museums. It is made from skim milk to which is added vinegar. The precipitate is the goo the Egyptians used as glue. http://www.wonderville.ca/v1/activities/scienceathome/fantastic_plastic.pdf

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#21
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Re: Modern Plastics...

09/05/2007 2:13 AM

Nice link....

Del

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#22

Re: Modern Plastics...

09/14/2007 7:44 PM

PVC is one of my favorites. Very practical in water use. Nylon fittings are wonderful also. And then there is all of the materials o-rings are made of. Teflon tape, great stuff.

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